Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Feb 1994

Vol. 438 No. 5

Adjournment Debate. - Adare (Limerick) School.

Mr. Finucane

I wish to thank the Chair for allowing me to raise the serious condition of the girls' primary school in Adare and I thank the Minister for attending.

Adare is one of the most beautiful villages of Ireland and has won the national award in the Tidy Towns Competition. The school was established about 1850 and has unique architectural features with a cut stone frontage, a tridentine roof and is situated at the rear of the beautiful local Catholic church. An extension is being constructed after considerable delay but it is separate from the main school structure. That extension will provide one extra classroom, a staff room and a library — remedial room and a toilet for the teachers and the children.

This extension is welcomed but there is still a serious problem with the main structure as the roof needs to be replaced. The roof is seriously defective and is leaking and there is the additional danger of falling slates. The windows which were blowing in had to be sealed to prevent this happening and this has created ventilation problems. There are five classrooms, four of which are used as classrooms and the fifth classroom is used for general purposes. There is only one exit door for the six classes.

The classrooms are subdivided with partitions and glass and there is no privacy for the pupils and teachers in each classroom. There is serious overcrowding and congestion, and noise is a constant factor. The environment is totally unsuitable for good education and I have no doubt would be condemned as a fire and safety hazard.

An additional problem is the antiquated timber flooring and the associated problem of rats. There are six outdoor toilets and a washroom in primitive condition. There are 124 pupils and four teachers plus a shared remedial teacher using this facility.

When the Minister passes through Adare, admires this beautiful village and sees the new heritage centre provided at a cost of over £1 million will she think of the school which is not visible on the main tourist route? Urgent action is needed. I call on the Minister to redress the unjust and unfair situation that prevails and promise that funds will be provided for the much needed renovation works. I look forward to her reply.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I am glad the Deputy has given me the opportunity of outlining to this House and through the Deputy, to the people of Adare, my Department's intentions in relation to the provision of suitable permanent accommodation for Adare girls' national school, County Limerick.

This school is staffed by a principal, three assistant teachers and one remedial teacher. It has a current enrolment of 122 students. The facilities at the school consist of five classrooms — two of which were formed by dividing one former large classroom.

The school forms part of a former Trinitarian Abbey which was adapted to school usage in 1850. The building has distinct historical and aesthetic features, the structure is sound but needs updating.

I readily acknowledge that conditions in the school are unsatisfactory and should be improved and I have, therefore, approved an extension to provide an additional classroom, teachers' room and toilets at the school. This extension is currently under construction and progressing satisfactorily.

With regard to the repairs to the roof and reconstruction work to the existing school, I am sure the Deputy appreciates that the building is one of great historical significance and that planning of the alterations has to be considered with great care and attention. This type of project is much more difficult from an architectural and technical viewpoint than the adaptation of a more modern building or erection of a totally new school.

The Department has received a cost estimate for the essential work to the roof and the existing school. The question of grant-aiding the work is being considered in the context of the overall allocation of funds and the Department's other commitments and priorities. I hope it will be possible to have a decision on this matter conveyed to the Deputy and my colleagues very shortly.

The Dáil adjourned at 9.25 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 10 February 1994.